Preschool Pictures 2009

Gillian and Caleb had picture day today. I dressed them in fall colors. Caleb said, "This is so we match huh mom?" They had a lot of fun with their photo shoot. Caleb kept wanting to pose with his hand on gillian's shoulder and she didn't like that for some reason.:) Then Caleb would put his hat on a certain way or put his hand in his pocket. He was really funny. He really liked his new cool jacket!

Superheros Unite

We had such a fun time at Caleb's 5th birthday party last week. After doing a special Strawberry Shortcake party for Gillian in July, Caleb felt like he needed an extra special party too so I set about gathering ideas for a "Superhero" party. This idea came about when I asked Caleb what kind of party he wanted and he replied, "I want a Man Party.....you know like spiderman, superman, ironman....that kind of party" So a "man" party he got-------well sort of:)

We sent out invitations calling all superheros together, asked them to send us their superhero info like their name, color and special power and then I started gathering as much superhero stuff as I could at $Tree. I made all the Superheros a cape, a mask and wristbands. Of course we had a Villain that came and tried to destroy the party but after some special superhero training games and a lot of silly string, the superheros prevailed and (garrett) the evil neighborhood villain was defeated! Then they ate cake:)

Happy Birthday Super Caleb or Super Park Batman as you were called at the Superhero Party:)

Last Lake Trip of 2009

Caleb ready to learn to ski

Cam Standing on the Knee Board

Caleb is a wild man

Gillian Ready to ski

Griffin standing on the knee board

Dad bounced these boys hard.....look at the feet

Gary jumping

Just a few pictures from the last lake trip of the season. Wow! The summer really flies by! It's time to put the boat back into storage and hopefully watch the temperature drop! :)

At the Dunes the Day Before School Starts????? Crazy!!!!!!!

Griffin


Gillian

Taking a break from 4 Wheelin!

I can make it! I know I can!:)

Garrett

Cam

So I was thinking that it would be fun to do something unplanned, spontaneous and out of character for me the day before school started so after a lot of thought, I loaded up the car and took the kids over to Pismo Beach for the day to ride quads, play, eat and hang out with some friends. I didn't finish getting school supplies or even back to school clothes shopping done, my house was a little unorganized and it is 2 1/2 hours over to Pismo but..........we put caution to the wind, loaded up the Bell's quads in the Morris' trailer (thanks guys) and headed out for a super fun day! Even without Gary there we managed to figure everything out. We met up with some of the Holt family and the Wilcox Family. We took the trucks up the dunes and took turns on the quads. The kids played in the water, hung out around the fire pit, roasted marshmallows and ate really well! After our ride, and a few scary moments for mom, we went over to Morro Bay and met up with some of the Henriksen Family, played at the Tides Park and made our way to Cayucos to the Sea Shanty for dinner and ice cream pie. We finally found our way home around 10:30 and believe it or not, the boys did really well getting up for the first day of school. Tomorrow will be the real test though since they have to be at Seminary by 6:00am. :) As we embark upon this last year with all our children home, living under one roof, we want to remember to take full advantage of those "spontaneous" moments and live each minute to the fullest!

Caleb's First Official Drum Lesson

Because all the brothers play several instruments, Caleb always wants in on the fun! He loves his guitar and plays it and makes up songs all the time. He plucks at his little piano and does the same. He can be heard all over the neighborhood banging out beats on Cameron's drum set so we all give him mini lessons to encourage him. Today it was like a dream come true for him when I decided out of the blue that it was time for the boy's drum teacher to give Caleb his first official drum lesson. That boy showed us all what he had and his drum teacher was amazed! Here are a few pictures of Caleb strutting his stuff! Too cute!

A Teenage Weekend!

Dance Off Party Gang

What?

J-Dizzle moves so fast we couldn't even catch it on camera!

Fresno Temple

We had a super busy but super fun weekend! It started with taking Cameron to High School Orientation where Garrett's ASB team greeted all the new incoming freshmen with a crazy, fun party! Lot's of music, games and food. Following Orientation day, the ASB gang came over to our house for more food, swimming, music and hanging out time. After the last teenager left, Gary and I went out to dinner and a movie with friends while all 10 of our combined kids stayed here and hung out. On Saturday, I took Garrett and Cameron to Fresno for a Youth Temple Trip, then out to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory (our favorite!) then some final school clothes shopping. We got home in time to clean up, organize and welcome another group of teenagers over for a Dance Off and movie night in our Basketball Court. I didn't win but the kids taught me some new dances and praised me and gary for our efforts. :) Sunday was a YW lesson for me and Seminary Orientation that night! So what am I doing now?????? Planning another party of course:) It is Caleb's 5th birthday and he is counting the days until his "Man Party". Superman, Iron man, Spider man, get it? A superhero party! Back to the planning board! No rest for this Superhero Mom thats for sure!

Beach Fun!

We just got back from Cayucos. We had a super fun visit with "the cousins" as the boys like to say. We took the kids kayaking, to the park, boogie boarding, we ate out at some of our favorite spots, took family pictures at the tidepools and hung out at our favorite beach retreat......."The Hanger House". Marti and Dwight treated Gary and I to a little cabin or bungalow surrounded by wild flowers and herb gardens while the kids stayed with them. It was Heaven!

Setting up for our Pictures

Trying to sweet talk gillian into taking off her sweatshirt for the pics!

It was a beautiful day but a little cold and windy.

On the water with most of the Crew!

Cameron and Sean

Garrett and Griffin

Gillian and Caleb in our "Enchanted Beach Garden"

Gillian:)